Carbon dioxide reforming of methane on Ni-MgO-Al2O3 catalysts prepared by sol-gel method: Effects of Mg/Al ratios

Carbon dioxide reforming of methane on Ni-MgO-Al2O3 catalysts has been investigated systematically at various Mg/Al ratios, focusing on catalytic activity and coke resistance. Ni catalysts supported on MgO-Al2O3 were prepared by sol-gel method using citric acid as a gelling agent. The characterization of the catalyst was carried out by XRD, TEM, TPR, N-2 adsorption, H-2 chemisorption, O-2 titration, CO2-TPD and TGA. In the comparison with a catalyst prepared by coprecipitation method, it was found that the catalyst prepared by the sol-gel method showed higher coke resistance. In the variation of Mg/Al ratios, high coke resistance was obtained with increasing MgO loading, while high catalytic activity was observed with the catalysts of medium MgO/(MgO + Al2O3) ratio (0.44-0.86), of which the superior catalytic activity is likely attributed to high specific surface area and well dispersed Ni particles. (C) 2014 The Korean Society of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.